MODELLSTUDIE AV METALLTRANSPORT GENOM EN SJÖ I ETT GRUVOMRÅDE / Modeling Metal Transport through a Lake in a Mining Area
Lakes have an important impact on element mass transport. The reduced velocity results in an increasing sedimentation and chemical and biological processes have time to influence the transport. Hydrochemical models can be helpful in the study of the importance of different processes. In this study we present simulated concentrations and mass transport of zinc, copper and cadmium through a lake. The main source for the metals are tailings deposits of an abandoned copper mine. The simulations were performed with the PULSE-model. The PROBE-model was also used to produce the dynamics of the thermocline. Additional descriptions of hydraulic, chemical and biological processes are needed in order to produce satisfactory simulations of concentrations. The mass transport, however, is well described, due to the domination of water flow. Over 80 % of the incoming mass transport is retained in the lake. The model can be an valuable tool to evaluate the effect of the recent restoration of the deposits.